PORT Adelaide solidified its spot in top four with a crushing 70-point victory against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. 

On the back of a brilliant eight-goal first quarter, the Power were never seriously challenged in disposing of the injury-depleted Kangaroos – 19.13 (127) to 8.9 (57) – in front of a crowd of 34,138.

Full match coverage and stats

Small forward Sam Gray enjoyed a day out booting four goals to go with 25 disposals, while Chad Wingard (30 disposals, three goals), Brad Ebert (30 disposals, 19 contested and 14 clearances), Paddy Ryder (37 hit-outs) and 100th-gamer Ollie Wines (31 disposals, 16 contested) were also influential.

Midfield bull Sam Powell-Pepper did his claims for the NAB AFL Rising Star award no harm with a career-high 26 possessions to continue his outstanding debut season.

Five talking points: Port Adelaide v North Melbourne

For the Kangaroos (17th; 4-12), Ben Cunnington (26 contested possessions) did everything he possibly could to keep his side in the contest and forward Ben Brown booted three goals to stay in touch in the race for the Coleman Medal.

To make matters worse for the visitors, who have now lost six games in a row, young defender Mitchell Hibberd could be set for a stint on the sidelines after coming off in the first quarter with a shoulder injury, while Corey Wagner (ankle) also didn't finish the game.

"We were badly beaten around the ball early," Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said.

"Against a full-strength Port Power who played really well, it was going to be a challenge.

"You don't have 88 tackles if you're not having a crack, so we kept working really hard to stay in the game, but Port were just too good."

The Power (10-6) remain fourth on the ladder ahead of next week's huge clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

Guilty of wasteful goalkicking several times this season, the Power were on target with an accurate 8.1 in the first term to blow the Kangaroos off the park.

Ryder controlled his ruck battle with Todd Goldstein and won the hit-outs, helping the Power to an 18-8 advantage in clearances.

Overall, the Power won the clearances 49-30, had 16 more entries inside 50, an advantage of +36 in contested possessions and had 77 more disposals than the Kangaroos.

There needs to be an inquiry if Ryder isn't the All Australian ruckman at the end of the season. 

Ryder gave Goldstein – the best in the competition just two seasons ago – an absolute bath. 

Such was Ryder's dominance that Majak Daw started in the ruck for the Kangaroos at the start of the third quarter, with Goldstein relegated to the forward line. 

Daw was ineffective for the fourth week in a row, picking up just five disposals, but he did have 21 hit-outs.

WATCH: Sam Gray turns up the Power

Westhoff (13 possessions in the first quarter and 27 for the game) was heavily involved at both ends of the ground, while Wingard all his goals in the first term.

The Kangaroos threatened to close the gap, but the margin remained at 37 points at half-time.

That's as close as they got, with the Power kicking eight goals to two in the second half.

MEDICAL ROOM
Port Adelaide: Power fans held their breathe when star ruckman Patrick Ryder rolled his ankle in the third quarter. Ryder left the ground, but returned later in the term. With the result in the bag, Ryder finished the game on the bench with his ankle strapped, but coach Ken Hinkley is confident Ryder will be right to face Melbourne next week. Charlie Dixon collided heavily with the advertising hoarding, but returned to play.

North Melbourne: The long injury list at the Kangaroos is set to add two more names to it. Defender Mitchell Hibberd injured his shoulder in the first quarter and didn't return to the game. Corey Wagner's day was also over early with an ankle injury. Scott Thompson and Shaun Higgins spent 20 minutes off the ground for concussion tests, but were cleared to play.

NEXT UP
The Power face another challenge of their premiership credentials when they take on Melbourne at the MCG next Saturday, 2.10pm AEST. The Kangaroos take on the red-hot Bombers at Etihad Stadium next Saturday, 1.45pm AEST.

PORT ADELAIDE             8.1     11.4     14.9     19.13     (127)          
NORTH MELBOURNE     2.0      5.3       6.5        8.9        (57)

GOALS
Port Adelaide: S.Gray 4, Wingard 3, R.Gray 2, Powell-Pepper 2, Trengove 2, Wines, Westhoff, Polec, Hartlett, White, Dixon
North Melbourne: Brown 3, Atley 2, Higgins, Garner, Hrovat

BEST
Port Adelaide: Wingard, Ryder, S.Gray, Westhoff, Powell-Pepper, Wines
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Brown, Tarrant, Atley

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Ryder (ankle)
North Melbourne: Hibberd (shoulder), Wagner (ankle)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Mitchell, Ryan, Gavine

Official crowd: 34,138 at Adelaide Oval